Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

Update – One Arrested; Second Suspect Remains At-Large Detectives Investigating Armed Robbery in Smyrna

Date Posted: Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024

Delaware State Police arrested a 17-year-old male of Middletown, Delaware, for several felony charges stemming from an armed robbery that occurred earlier this month in Smyrna. Detectives are seeking assistance in locating his coconspirator (pictured above), 19-year-old Terence Smith of Smyrna, Delaware, who remains at-large.

On July 6, 2024, at approximately 9:26 p.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery that occurred at the intersection of Joseph Wick Drive and Willowwood Drive in Smyrna. The preliminary investigation revealed that the 17-year-old victim was walking home when he was approached by 2 unknown black male suspects. A physical altercation ensued between the suspects and the victim, during which one of the suspects struck the victim in the back of the head with a handgun. After the altercation ended, one of the suspects threatened to shoot the victim as he attempted to retrieve his personal property from the street.

Through investigative means, Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Detectives identified the 17-year-old male and Terence Smith as the suspects involved in the robbery. On July 22, 2024, the 17-year-old male turned himself in at Troop 3 on a felony warrant for his arrest. Smith has not been located at this time. Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in their on-going efforts to locate Smith, who has a warrant for his arrest for robbery-related charges.

At Troop 3, the 17-year-old male was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Kent County Family Court, and released to a guardian on a $6,000 unsecured bond.

Robbery 1st Degree (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Assault 2nd Degree (Felony)
Possess Deadly Weapon by Person Under 18 (Felony)
Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit continues investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case or the whereabouts of Terence Smith to contact Detective B. Yencer by calling (302) 698-8429 or by calling 9-1-1. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.